国际英语新闻：Exchange of fire reported between Hamas and Israeli troops

GAZA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A short exchange of fire between Israeli special forces and Hamas militants was reported east of the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis on Wednesday night.

    Witness and Palestinian sources said that the fighting has ended and there was no sign that Israel has launched ground operation against Gaza, adding that Israeli special forces used to come into the area and hunting Palestinian rocket launching cells.

    The spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces said they could not confirm the report at this time.

    The massive airstrikes carried out by Israel against Gaza have entered the fifth day. On Wednesday evening, Israeli war planes carried out three airstrikes on targets near the Gaza City. Four Palestinians were injured in the attacks.

    According to Palestinian health official, the death toll in the Israeli airstrikes since Saturday has reached 400, in addition to around 2,000 injured.